Page 61 of Alpha Chained

What I want is for him to turn around right now and head over to the cells so we can release Riot. I open my mouth to protest, but he’s already pushing through the door, leaving me no choice but to follow.

Once inside, he settles behind his desk, some of the tension seeming to bleed from his shoulders. I seize the opportunity to plead Riot’s case.

“You don’t understand what he’s been through, Jagger,” I begin again, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Parker took him over a decade ago. Since then, all he’s known how to do is fight.” I know I must look wild, but I can’t help myself.

“Parker’s has been operating for that long?” He looks at me with a new kind of interest.

“Yes!” I nod vigorously. “You have no idea what these people are like. And Riot has been stuck there for ten long years, fighting like Parker’s personal pit bull. They made him do terrible things, Jagger.” My eyes well with tears at the thought of it.

“And yet he did it.” Jagger’s mouth sets in a hard line.

“He had no choice. He did it to protect his sister – they’ve been holding her life over his head all this time.” I splay my hands. “Surely you can see how hard that had to be?”

Jagger’s expression softens slightly, but his voice remains firm. “I’m sorry, Raura. Truly. But I have an obligation to protect this pack above all else. Riot is an unknown element, and that kind of unpredictable violence cannot be allowed, no matter the circumstances.”

“But he’s not an unknown element! I know him, Jagger. I can vouch for him.”

“But can you?” My Alpha tilts his head.

I stare at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, how well do you really know the man, Raura?” He sits back in his chair.

“He saved my life.” I know I keep saying it, but I can’t understand why this means so little to him.

“But did he?” Jagger raises a hand and rubs his jaw. There’s a bruise forming along it.

“Of course he did! He was in the neighboring cell, and when they tried to starve me to get me to share information about Steel Lakes, he shared his food with me. Then he helped me get out of there.”

“So he just happened to be close to you? In the next cell?”

“Well, yes. He—” I pause. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I frown.

“I mean that you refused to tell Parker any of our secrets. And then you just happened to be locked up next to a shifter who helped you. Who won your confidence.”

“But he didn’t do anything! He…” I trail off.

“How much did you tell him about Steel Lakes, Raura?”

“I said nothing! I…I…” I stop as my mind scrolls back to all the times he asked me to talk to him about my life. My home. The people here.

Oh, my God.

“And now you’ve brought him here.” Jagger’s eyes lock with mine. “A shifter who’s spent years with the enemy. How do you think he survived for so long?”

“No,” I whisper. “No, he wouldn’t do something like that.” I’m trying so hard to believe that it’s impossible. Because as I’m thinking it, I’m fighting back images of him touching me, his hands on my body.

No! Please, no!

“It wouldn’t be the first time someone used emotion to manipulate a desperate person, Raura. And let’s face it, you were desperate.”

I sink into the seat across from him and drop my face in my hands. “I can’t believe that. I won’t”

“You may have to.” His voice has grown gentle.

My heart feels like it’s shattering. “Oh, God. I’m such a fool.” My voice is muffled by my hands. And I can’t understand why it feels like my world is crashing down around me.

He’s practically a stranger, Raura.

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